Summer barbecues could further fuel Ireland’s obesity epidemic - with many people scoffing up to treble the normal amount of food every time they eat outdoors.

Health experts say that al fresco diners are piling their plates with huge amounts of calorie-laden grub, as well as hammering their waistlines by washing meals down with booze.

And the total adds up to an belly-bursting 3,200 calories per sitting.

However, health watchdogs insist there’s no need to ditch the outdoor grill, but instead urged bbq fans to cut down on their portion sizes and to swap traditional calorie-crammed favourites like burgers and hot dogs for more nutritious options.

(Image: PA Archive)

Dr. Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director of Human Health and Nutrition at Safefood Ireland, said: “I certainly don’t want to come across as a killjoy, because barbecues are a big summer tradition and there’s no reason for people to stop enjoying them.

“But people need to make better and more healthy choices about what they are cooking.

"You don’t have to have just burgers, sausages or ribs. I would advise to lessen the portion size and to make sure half of the plate is made up of salad or vegetables.”

An average person scoffs a hefty 3,200 calories at each barbecue they attend, while a third of people eat treble their usual dinner portions, according to previous findings from Weight Watchers.

But Dr Foley-Nolan believes that making better choices on what to put on the outdoor grill can at least make some difference to Ireland’s obesity epidemic - and importantly, set an example to at-risk children.

Barbecue (Image: Rex)

According to recent research by Safefood Ireland, more than 85,000 children will die prematurely due to childhood obesity or being overweight.

She added: “Unfortunately there’s no green shoots on the horizon as regards adult obesity, and whilst there is evidence to suggest childhood obesity is plateauing, the figures are still way very high, and very concerning.

“One in four children on the island of Ireland are overweight or obese, and with a 70 per cent risk of this tracking into adulthood, this can result in a lifelong and inter-generational ill-health.”

Meanwhile, cutting the calories isn’t the only health reason to think twice before opting for hot dogs and burgers on your outdoor grill.

Research also shows that cooking meat on the barbecue can put you at higher risk of cancers, including colorectal, breast, stomach and pancreatic cancers.

According to findings from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), two cancer-causing compounds can form when meat is cooked on the grill: namely, HCAs and PAHs.